— shining in the showring
by denise hearst photos by scott trees, april visel, suzanne sturgill, and stuart vesty
t dusk, as the warm gulf air stirred in the date palms and a full moon rose over the iconic Al Shahania gates, guests were greeted by a classic Arabic tableau — falcons and salukis near a campfire where Bedouin coffee brewed over the coals — while servers offered exotic fruit drinks and appetizers. The occasion in early November 2011 marked the first time that a WAHO conference was held in the State of Qatar, and this evening at Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s farm promised to be a highlight of the week. “With the WAHO conference reuniting people from all around the world, we felt it was a perfect opportunity to share some of the Qatari traditions,” says manager Alexandra Newman. “We wanted to share the natural beauty of Al Shahania Stud as an oasis of green and let people enjoy the outdoors as our horses do every day. There were some challenges — like the rare rain we had in the morning — but all in all, we thought it was a success and we hope that everyone enjoyed themselves.”
WAHO guests enjoyed dinner and entertainment under a full moon at Al Shahania.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Kalifa Al Thani with Areej (Amer x Akie Croix Noire), winner of the 2011 Qatar Arabian World Cup in France, the world’s richest race for purebred Arabians. Sheikh Mohammed’s horses also finished second and third in the same race.
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Middle Left: Michael Byatt introduces the Al Shahania show and breeding stock. Left and above: Upon arrival, WAHO guests are greeted by traditional emblems of Qatar — Salukis, falcons, dhow models, henna artists, jewelry, and weaving.
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Indeed they did. The visitors,
2007 Champion Scottsdale Signature
some 400 of them, strolled past a replica
Auction Filly roses, and the yearling
of a traditional Qatari village into the
filly Nada Al Shahania (Besson Carol x
stable courtyard where a selection of
MFA Annies Song), who had arrived in
Al Shahania’s racing and showring stars
Qatar just two weeks earlier, charmed
were presented. Following Alexandra’s
everyone with her exotic beauty.
welcoming speech, race trainer Julian Smart could barely contain
Not present were Al Shahania’s two newly crowned U.S.
his pride when the handsome Jaafer (Amer x Madjela), winner
National Champions, Barzan Al Shahania and Abha Raipur, but
of the 2010 Kahayla Classic and the 2011 Emir’s Sword, and
more about them later.
the “Princess of Paris,” Qatar World Cup winner Areej (Amer
“The presentation of the race and show horses was
x Akie Croix Noire), stepped into the spotlights wearing their
wonderful,” says Michael. “It was a beautiful night, and in those
trophy race coolers. After a lap or two around the fountain their
lights, those gorgeous racehorses had a physicality and a dignity
coolers were deftly removed as they walked, revealing their sleek
about them, embodying grace and strength. And Majolicaa, who
racing physiques. They, and the racehorses that came after, were
is carrying a Safir Al Rayyan foal, looked like a queen with her
pure class.
white coat, so soft and feminine.”
Next, show trainer Michael Byatt stepped up to the
After the showing, guests were free to walk through the
microphone and sketched the evolution of Sheikh Mohammed’s
splendid barns as they headed down to the dining area — tables
Arabian show program and introduced
set under the stars in a grassy paddock,
a few of the Al Shahania show horses
with a huge video screen showing
that now call Qatar home. Majolicaa
highlights of Al Shahania’s racing and
(Besson Carol x Majalis) wore her
showring triumphs.
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Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche), 2011 U.S. National Champion Yearling Colt and Champion Junior Colt, 2011 Scottsdale Champion Arabian Classic Junior Colt, and unanimous Supreme Champion Yearling Colt at the Las Vegas World Cup show.
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It was a fitting celebration as it marked a year of unprecedented success for the stud. “Two thousand eleven has been a year of many successes for me, Al Shahania Stud, and my country, the State of Qatar,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “Jaafer’s win in the 2011 Emir’s Sword, one of, if not the most prestigious and oldest races in Qatar and the Middle East, gave us a really nice conclusion to the season in Qatar prior to heading to Europe with the racing string. We proved successful in the UK, winning several of the big races, preparing us well for the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Longchamp, France, in early October. Winning this race, and the Emir’s Sword, were my main objectives for 2011. It was here that the Al Shahania
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This page and facing: Barzan Al Shahania.
breeding program proved to be one of the strongest in the
“To top it all off my football (soccer) team, Al Sadd, made
Arabian racing world by finishing first with Areej, second with
history for football in Qatar by winning the AFC Championship
Aziz (Amer x Aziza d’ Aroco), and third with Jaafer in the world’s
League 2011, beating the Korean team Jeonbuk 4-2 at home.
richest Arabian race, held the same day as the
I am now looking forward to seeing them in
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (one of the
December playing in Japan in the FIFA Clubs
most watched sporting events in the world).
World Cup.
“Al Shahania’s show program, just in its
“I am proud of all of my horses that
second year, has had an outstanding season
competed this year in the U.S. Nationals,
with wins in the three largest shows in North
especially Abha Raipur (El Perfecto x Abha
America with championships at Scottsdale,
Zenobia), who gave us our first victory of
Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas, and
the show when she was named U.S. National
the U.S. National Championships.
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, and of course
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Abha Raipur (El Perfecto x Abha Zenobia), 2011 U.S. National Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and 2011 Scottsdale Champion International Arabian Breeders Classic Senior Mare. She is carrying a Marwan Al Shaqab foal for 2012.
Psyche, resides at Gallún Farms in Santa Ynez, California, so Greg has tended most of her foals. “When we got word that Siena Psyche’s Stival foal was a ‘he’ there was a quiet pause from all of us close to Siena. I know Siena’s owners (Mike and Ruth Doe) really wanted a filly. We all did. But when we approached the stall with his recipient mare this little man stood up and looked at us with an expression that is unique to him, even to this day. He was dramatic even just barely dry! We all walked away from his stall really happy, colt or filly. “Barzan has, in his very young life, made himself quite a reputation, and his U.S. National Champion Junior Colt title was the perfect finale to his amazing year. The competition has been great all year long and Barzan found the winners circle each time shown, winning the Championships at Scottsdale and the Las Vegas World Cup. I cannot give enough credit to Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche) being awarded not only
both Siena Psyche and Stival for passing on their great
U.S. National Champion Yearling Colt but also U.S. National Champion
qualities. He is the perfect combination of both. Siena
Junior Colt. I also appreciate the support the Arabian show community
is one of the few U.S. National Champion Mares to
expressed by cheering my horses on. This was heartening to me.
produce a U.S. National Champion halter offspring;
“I knew that Barzan had a tough challenge before him being the
Barzan is now her fourth!
youngest colt in the ring for the title of the 2011 U.S. National Champion
“Barzan is enjoying a bit of down time, eating
Junior Colt, especially with the older colts being more seasoned,” continues
a little grass and getting some California sunshine on
Sheikh Mohammed. “However the moment he entered the ring, I had no
his back. It’s been a great honor to show this colt for
doubt anymore. It was to me like seeing gold. He is unique and the judges
Sheikh Mohammed. Recently, while I was attending
showed their appreciation by the scores he received, giving him the highest
the Brazilian Nationals, I spoke with a longtime judge
score of any horse shown in hand at the 2011 U.S. Nationals.”
and breeder who said to me, ‘I have been in this
Greg Gallún handled Barzan to his win. The colt’s dam, NW Siena
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business for 30 years — I think that Barzan may be
Above: Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira), 2010 U.S. National Champion Junior Mare, will have a foal via ET by Marwan Al Shaqab in 2012.
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A-Malaysia (A Jakarta x Estee Lauder), 2011 Scottsdale Champion Breeders International Classic Junior Filly and U.S. National Top Ten Two-Year-Old Filly.
the best young horse I have ever seen.’ What more can be said?” Among this year’s Nationals judges was Cathy Wright, who had this to say about Barzan and Abha Raipur: “Barzan was exceptional. I first saw him at Scottsdale last February and was so impressed. I was really looking forward to seeing him up close and having the opportunity to judge him. I was not disappointed. His amazing neck, color, and presence combined to make an entrance that was memorable indeed. He was stunning! He was tall, smooth, and elegant. I can’t wait to see him in a few years and see what kind of stallion he develops into. I think he has a tremendous amount to offer the breed worldwide. “The filly was also a top-quality individual. She was so balanced and had such excellent overall conformation. I loved her strength of body combined with her high degree of femininity and type. What a combination — just an outstanding filly! They are both superb representatives for their owner.”
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Above: Taj Al Jamal (Marwan Al Shaqab x SWF Desert Rose), 2011 Qatar Bronze Champion Junior Colt.
Top right and right: “I love them all, but one of my favorites here in Qatar is Nada Al Shahania (Besson Carol x MFA Annies Song), who arrived here in October. She is an outstanding filly,” says Sheikh Mohammed bin Kalifa Al Thani, pictured at right. Nada was 2011 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Breeders International Classic Junior Filly and Qatar National first place yearling filly. Below: Miss Ali Anna SWF (WH Justice x Miss Psyche), won Top Five Junior Champion Filly and First Place Two-Year-Old Filly at the 2011 Qatar National Championships.
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Left: The 1997 mare ZT Ludbectra (Ludjin El Jamaal x ZT Rubilectra) has three embryos for 2012 foals, two by ZT Marwteyn and one by Anaza El Farid. Below: The 2005 mare Oceania O (Pershahn El Jamaal x Om El Jimala) is in foal to Marwan Al Shaqab via ET for 2012. Facing page: The 2001 mare MFA Annies Song (Ludjin El Jamaal x MFA Lilac Tyme), dam of Nada Al Shahania, is also in foal to Marwan Al Shaqab for 2012 via ET.
U.S.
National
Judge
Paul
Kostial adds, “Barzan is an exceptional individual. He’s tall, very upright, very
correct,
with
outstanding
Arabian type and, as added value, has that exceptional chestnut color with the beautiful flaxen mane and tail. Barzan is edgy and entertaining, and has conformational quality that equals his charisma. He’s a true show horse!” As Sheikh Mohammed has branched out into the Arabian show world, he has held fast to the principles that have served him so well in breeding top-class
taken lightly. Al Shahania Stud has proven that with patience,
racehorses. “My experience with my racehorses has taught me
through thorough and profound study of the physical and mental
that a horse with good legs, that is well balanced, moves well, and
attributes of the horse, as well as their pedigrees, we can produce
has a sound character is essential to the making of champions,”
champion racehorses. We wish to excel in the same way with
he says. “It does not matter what breed it is or what discipline
our show broodmare band. Therefore, for the moment we are
one is trying to achieve, these traits are vital. In addition, a good
still weighing our options on which stallions will give us the best
show horse must have charisma, athletic ability, and be an elegant
chance of producing champions with each of our broodmares.”
mover. Also, I like to see a horse with plenty of size and scope, a good length of neck, a beautiful face and expression.
Trainer Michael Byatt, who has several of the Al Shahania horses at his farm in New Ulm, Texas, appreciates Sheikh
“Of course a breeding program is not something to be
Mohammed’s discerning eye. ”One thing that continues to
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The 2009 filly Piacenza (QR Marc x Primawera), 2011 Bialka Champion Filly and Best in Show.
strike me is that Sheikh Mohammed is a horseman. He understands form and function, and can pick up on subtle things. He has exquisite taste, and seeks only the very best for his program.” Of the 2011 Al Shahania foals born at Michael’s farm, the grey Badiaa Al Shahania (Marwan Al Shaqab x Majalis), in particular, has caught Michael’s eye. “She is charismatic, stylish, beautiful, and correct. She thinks well of herself. She’s balanced, and her neck is glorious.” Badiaa and 2010 U.S. National Champion Junior Mare Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira) will go to Scottsdale in 2012. “Abha Qalams will have a 2012 Marwan foal via ET,” says Michael. “In 2011 she had a DA Valentino colt, owned by Ray and Nora Tatum. He is great, and will go to Scottsdale as well.”
The 2011 colt Suhail Al Shahania (JA Urbino x Viva Marwan).
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Above: The 2009 colt Ssharaz (Besson Carol x Ssharjah by Marwan Al Shaqab). Right: The 2011 filly Badiaa Al Shahania (Marwan Al Shaqab x Majalis by Ali Jamaal).
Other Al Shahania mares due in 2012 are Abha Mudira (Marwan Al Shaqab x Abha Fetiyeh), in foal to WH Justice; MFA Annies Song (Ludjin El Jamaal x MFA Lilac Tyme) and Oceania O (Pershahn El Jamaal x Om El Jimala) are in foal to Marwan via ET; Abha Raipur is carrying a Marwan foal; and ZT
In the meantime, look for the Al Shahania presence to
Ludbectra (Ludjin El Jamaal x ZT Rubilectra) has three embryos
be expanded in the world’s top showrings, possibly Menton,
coming, two by ZT Marwteyn and one by Anaza El Farid.
Aachen, and Paris, as well as the major U.S. shows. “We also
As for Barzan’s breeding plans, Sheikh Mohammed says,
want to show our support more actively by not only competing
“He will cover several of our top mares, and we will consider
but also becoming sponsors of several shows next year. It will be
outside mares but we will of course be very selective and it will
a very challenging and exciting time for the Al Shahania team,”
be only limited numbers. He is just coming two next spring. We
says Alexandra.
want to be conservative and do what is best for Barzan.” Adds
One thing is certain: Wherever they go, the race and show
Alexandra, “Promoting Barzan Al Shahania to be a champion
horses of Al Shahania will carry with them the unmistakable
on a world level and securing the best mares for him is a major
stamp of class — the mark of a true breeder’s eye, and his passion
responsibility.”
for the Arabian horse.
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Left: Al Shahania Stud Director Abdulrahman al Mansour with manager Alexandra Newman.
Abdulrahman al Mansour, Director Alexandra Newman, Manager P.O. Box 22133, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974-4490-3074 路 +974-4490-3075 Fax: +974-4471-9169 路 Mobile: +974-5564-4645 E-mail: mail@alshahaniastud.com www.alshahaniastud.com
Top and bottom: WAHO conference guests enjoy a visit to Al Shahania stud in early November, 2011. Middle: 2010 U.S. National Champion Junior Mare Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira). Front cover: 2011 U.S. National Champion Junior Colt Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche).
Abdulrahman al Mansour, Director · Alexandra Newman, Manager P.O. Box 22133, Doha, Qatar · Tel: +974-4490-3074 · +974-4490-3075 · Fax: +974-4471-9169 · Mobile: +974-5564-4645 E-mail: mail@alshahaniastud.com · www.alshahaniastud.com
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